Drive

ABSTRACT

A drive for storage disc which permits a convenient means of loading and unloading the storage disc. The drive includes a loading device for transport of a storage disc into the drive, the loading device including a carrier for accommodating the storage disc. In a loading position, the carrier remains generally in the drive and, in the direction of an insertion opening of the drive, includes an opening for insertion of the storage disc.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a drive.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Conventional drives for storage discs have a loading device fortransport of a storage disc into the drive, the loading device includinga carrier to accommodate the storage disc. The carrier is typicallydesigned as a tray which moves out of the drive for loading the storagedisc.

SUMMARY

A drive according to an example embodiment of the present invention mayhave the advantage that the carrier remains generally in the drive in aloading position. This makes it possible to implement a carrier in theform of a tray which need not be ejected from the drive to load thestorage disc. Instead, the storage disc may be inserted directly intothe drive as is the case with a roller feeder without the possibility ofsoiling or damaging the storage disc as is the case with a rollerfeeder. Direct insertion eliminates additional operating procedures forthe user for loading the storage disc, such as pressing of buttons, sothe drive according to the present invention may be used to particularadvantage in an automobile in which the user, who is also the driver ofthe vehicle, should be distracted as little as possible from traffic onthe road.

A loading device of the drive according to an example embodiment of thepresent invention is also less susceptible to small parts being insertedinto it. Due to its comparatively uncomplicated design, wear on theloading device of the drive according to the present invention and onthe storage discs transported by this loading device is greatly reduced.

It is particularly advantageous if the carrier in the area of theopening includes two elastically mounted centering elements, thedistance between them being less than the diameter of a first storagedisc, insertion of the first storage disc through the insertion openingand the opening onto the carrier forcing the centering elements apart,and the carrier including at least one holding element on a side facingaway from the opening for blocking a first storage disc inserted. Inthis way, the storage disc is securely gripped by the centering elementsand deposited on the carrier in a defined position. Thus, the storagedisc may be brought exactly to the playback position by the carrier.Loading errors are prevented in this way.

It may be particularly advantageous if the carrier includes an edgewhich forms an arc-shaped border between each of the two centeringelements and the at least one holding element. In this way, storagediscs designed as shaped (e.g., non-circular) compact discs may becentered on the carrier and brought with the carrier into a definedplayback position. By definition, at least three points on the contourof these shaped compact discs lie on a circle which corresponds to theouter edge of the usual compact discs, so that the shaped compact discsare positioned and centered on the carrier at least by these threepoints via the circular connections.

It may also be particularly advantageous if the carrier includes arecess which forms a receptacle for depositing a second storage dischaving a smaller diameter than the first storage disc. In this way,storage discs having a smaller diameter than that provided forconventional compact discs may also be held in a centered position onthe carrier and in this way brought into a defined playback position bythe carrier.

The recess makes it possible to position such smaller storage discs onthe carrier in a form-fitting manner.

It may also be advantageous if the dimension of the carrier in thedirection of insertion amounts to approximately two-thirds of thediameter of the first storage disc. Therefore, the user need not insertthe first storage disc completely into the drive, but instead the discis already gripped completely by the carrier when the first storage discis still projecting out of the drive by one-third of its diameter.

It may also be advantageous if the drive mechanism is situated at adistance amounting to approximately half of the dimension of the carrierin the direction of insertion, starting from the loading position of thecarrier, away from the insertion opening and engages with the carrier.This makes it possible for the carrier to be moved both into theplayback position and into the eject position with the least possibledesign complexity.

It may be particularly advantageous if the loading device includes atleast one sensor, which detects a storage disc placed on the carrier.This makes it possible to implement automatic loading of the storagedisc via the carrier into the playback position, which does not requireany additional activity on the part of the user and is thus particularlyconvenient for the user.

A particularly simple implementation of such a sensor which makes use ofthe available drive mechanism involves a first sensor designed as apressure sensor, the first sensor being connected to the drive mechanismand detecting when a force is exerted on the carrier and thus on thedrive mechanism in the direction of insertion.

It may also be particularly advantageous if the loading device includesa loading switch and that when the loading switch is operated, theloading device brings the carrier from the loading position into aneject position in which the carrier protrudes out of the insertionopening. This also makes is possible to place storage discs having asmaller diameter than usual on the carrier and thereby transport themvia the carrier into the playback position.

It may also be advantageous if, in the eject position, the carrierprotrudes approximately halfway out of the insertion opening. Thisallows the storage disc to be moved out of the drive to a particularlygreat extent, allowing convenient removal of the storage disc on thepart of the user.

It may also be advantageous if the loading device brings the carrierfrom the eject position into the loading position when the at least onesensor detects removal of a storage disc previously placed on thecarrier. This permits automatic retraction of the carrier into the drivewithout requiring any additional action on the part of the user and istherefore particularly convenient for the user to operate.

This advantage may also be obtained when the loading device brings thecarrier from the eject position into the playback position after apredetermined period of time has elapsed.

It may also be advantageous if, when the load switch is operated, theloading device brings the carrier from the eject position into theplayback position. Therefore, storage discs having a smaller diameterthan usual may be transported by the carrier into the playback positioneven if they cannot be detected by the at least one sensor as havingbeen placed on the carrier, in particular when they have been placed onthe carrier in the eject position without pressure being exerted on thedrive mechanism in the insertion direction or the storage disc beingrecognized by an optical sensor in the drive or on the carrier becauseof its small size.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in thefigures and explained in greater detail in the following description.

FIG. 1 shows a drive according to an example embodiment of the presentinvention having a carrier for accommodating a storage disc in a loadingposition.

FIG. 2 shows an example drive according to the present invention havingthe carrier in a playback position.

FIG. 3 shows an example drive according to the present invention havingthe carrier in an eject position.

FIG. 4 shows a carrier.

FIG. 5 shows a carrier having a storage disc of a smaller diameter thanusual inserted into it.

FIG. 6 shows a state transition diagram for the functioning of theexample drive according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows an example drive 1 for storage discs 5, 10, 135. Drive 1may be, for example, a compact disc player, a compact disc changer, aminidisc player, a DVD player (digital versatile disc), a CD-ROM driveor the like. Drive 1 includes a loading device 15 for transport of astorage disc 5, 10, 135 into or out of drive 1. Loading device 15 inturn includes a carrier 20 to accommodate storage disc 5, 10, 135.

It shall be assumed below, as an example, that drive 1 is a compact discplayer. According to FIG. 1, loading device 15 includes a first guiderail 70 and a second guide rail 75 which run as a linear guide in thedirection of insertion 65 in drive 1, for example, and in which carrier20 is guided. It is of course also possible to provide only one singleguide rail or more than two guide rails for this purpose in drive 1.Transport of carrier 20 in guide rails 70, 75 is accomplished via adrive mechanism 80, which may be designed as a linear drive mechanism,for example. Suitable examples of a linear drive mechanism include aspindle drive, a belt drive, a toothed rod drive, a toothed belt drive,or the like.

FIG. 1 shows carrier 20 in a loading position. Carrier 20 in the loadingposition generally does not protrude out of an insertion opening 25 ofdrive 1 but instead sits completely within drive 1. As shown in FIG. 1,a front edge 100 of carrier 20 may be flush with a front edge 105 ofdrive 1 having insertion opening 25. In the direction of insertionopening 25, carrier 20 includes an opening 1000 for inserting storagedisc 5, 10, 135.

Carrier 20, which is described here as an example, is designed like adrawer. However, it may also include only one right and one left hoop orhook between which storage disc 5, 10, 135 is clamped, which is thussimpler and uses less material. The hoops or hooks are driven insynchronization via the linear drive, for example, or are displacedindividually or jointly by some other means with which those skilled inthe art are familiar. The hoops or hooks likewise form an opening in thedirection of insertion opening 25 for insertion of storage disc 5, 10,135. The concept of placement of storage disc 5, 10, 135 on carrier 20is to be differentiated explicitly from the concept of a roller feeder.

In addition, according to FIG. 1, two centering elements 30, 35 may besituated at front edge 100 in the area of opening 1000 of carrier 20 andmay be accessible via insertion opening 25 and opening 1000. Thedistance between two centering elements 30, 35 is less than the diameterof a first storage disc 5, which in this example is a conventionalcompact disc. Centering elements 30, 35 are elastically supported oncarrier 20. On a rear edge 110 of carrier 20 opposite front edge 100 ofcarrier 20, a first holding element 40 and a second holding element 45are situated as depicted in FIG. 1. It is also possible for just asingle holding element or more than two holding elements to be providedon rear edge 110 of carrier 20.

When first storage disc 5 is inserted into drive 1 through insertionopening 25 and when carrier 20 is in the loading position according toFIG. 1, first storage disc 5 at first pushes centering elements 30, 35apart and in this way reaches a defined position on carrier 20. Theinsertion process is concluded when first storage disc 5 comes to restagainst first holding element 40 and/or second holding element 45.

Centering elements 30, 35 and holding elements 40, 45 ensure that firststorage disc 5 comes to lie in a defined position on carrier 20 and thusmay also be brought into a defined playback position to preventcentering errors in securing, i.e., positioning, first storage disc 5.

Positioning of first storage disc 5 on carrier 20 may be furtherimproved by providing a first arc-shaped border 50 on carrier 20 betweenfirst centering element 30 and first holding element 40. Similarly, asecond arc-shaped border 55 may be provided between second centeringelement 35 and second holding element 45 on carrier 20. The radius ofarc-shaped borders 50, 55 corresponds approximately to the radius offirst storage disc 5.

Arc-shaped borders 50, 55 are advantageous in particular when, insteadof first storage disc 5, a shaped compact disc 135 as shown in FIG. 6 isto be inserted into drive 1 through insertion opening 25. Such a shapedcompact disc 135 has the property that at least three points on itscontour by definition lie on a circle, the radius of which correspondsto the radius of first storage disc 5. Thus, if centering elements 30,35 are not gripped or pressed apart on insertion of such a shapedcompact disc 135, then shaped compact disc 135 may be placed in adefined position on carrier 20 and brought into a defined playbackposition by it by having at least a portion of the defined points on thecontour of shape compact disc 135 come to rest against arc-shapedborders 50, 55.

It is now possible according to FIG. 1 for the dimension of carrier 20in insertion direction 65 to be smaller than the diameter of firststorage disc 5. The dimension of carrier 20 in insertion direction 65may amount to approximately two-thirds of the diameter of first storagedisc 5, for example, as indicated in FIG. 1. This means that afterinsertion of first storage disc 5 into carrier 20 until it comes to restagainst holding elements 40, 45, first storage disc 5 still protrudesout of insertion opening 25 by approximately one-third of its diameter,so that the user need not push first storage disc 5 too far into drive 1for first storage disc 5 to be brought into the playback position. Thisis particularly convenient for the user, in particular when drive 1 isto be used in a motor vehicle and the user should be distracted fromroad traffic as little as possible. The distance between centeringelements 30, 35 and holding elements 40, 45 may be selected in such away that after complete insertion of first storage disc 5 into carrier20, i.e., after first storage disc 5 comes to rest against holdingelements 40, 45, centering elements 30, 35 return to their startingposition.

As shown in FIG. 1, it is also possible for drive mechanism 80 to besituated in drive 1 at a distance from insertion opening 25 and to beengaged with carrier 20, this distance amounting to approximately halfof the dimension of carrier 20 in the direction of insertion 65, basedon the loading position of carrier 20. Carrier 20 may thus always be indirect engagement with drive mechanism 80, both when it is being movedinto the playback position in drive 1 as well as when it is being movedout of drive 1 into the eject position. This is depicted in FIG. 2 forthe playback position and in FIG. 3 for the eject position.

According to FIG. 1, it is now possible to provide for loading device 15to include at least one sensor 85, 90, which detects whether a storagedisc has been placed on carrier 20. A first sensor 85 which is designedas a pressure sensor may be provided; it is connected to drive mechanism80 in such a way that it detects when a force is exerted on carrier 20in insertion direction 65 and thus on drive mechanism 80. This isinterpreted as indicating that a storage disc has been inserted throughinsertion opening 25 into carrier 20.

A regular switch is also possible as the pressure sensor. Such a switchis actuated in the eject position by carrier 20, which is in the ejectposition. If carrier 20 is pushed slightly into drive 1, the switch isreleased and the pressure is detected.

In addition or as an alternative, a second sensor 90 may also beprovided, this sensor being designed as an optical sensor, for example,which also detects whether a storage disc has been inserted into carrier20 through insertion opening 25. Optical sensor 90 may include a lightsource 115 and a photodiode 120. Light source 115 and photodiode 120 aresituated on carrier 20 in such a way that when the storage disc is notinserted into carrier 20, the light emitted by light source 115 isreceived by photodiode 120, and when the storage disc is inserted intocarrier 20, the beam of light from light source 115 to photodiode 120 isinterrupted, so the presence of the storage disc in carrier 20 isdetected in this way.

In addition, loading device 15 may optionally include a loading switch95, in which case after actuation of loading switch 95, loading device15 moves carrier 20 from the loading position into the eject position inwhich carrier 20 protrudes out of insertion opening 25. Loading switch95 thus triggers drive mechanism 80.

In FIG. 2, the same reference numbers denote the same elements as inFIG. 1. FIG. 2 shows carrier 20 with first storage disc 5 completelyinserted into carrier 20 in the playback position in which first storagedisc 5 may be read by a reading head of a reading device (not shown inFIG. 2). From the loading position, carrier 20 is moved into theplayback position via drive mechanism 80 along guide rails 70, 75. When,as in the example shown in FIG. 1 and described here, the dimension ofcarrier 20 in insertion direction 65 amounts to approximately two-thirdsof the diameter of first storage disc 5, then first storage disc 5 issituated completely in drive 1 when it is inserted into carrier 20 untilit comes to rest on holding elements 40, 45 and is moved by carrier 20 adistance into drive 1, which corresponds approximately to one-third ofthe diameter of first storage disc 5. When drive mechanism 80 ispositioned in drive 1, as described in conjunction with FIG. 1, it thenengages in the area of front edge 100 in carrier 20 in the playbackposition according to FIG. 2 in such a way that transport of carrier 20back out of the playback position and into the loading position or intothe eject position by drive mechanism 80 is ensured.

In FIG. 3, the same reference numbers are again used to denote the sameelements as in the figures described previously. As shown in FIG. 3,carrier 20 having first storage disc 5 completely inserted is in theeject position and protrudes out of insertion opening 25 and thus out ofdrive 1. When first storage disc 5 is inserted into carrier 20 as far asthe stop on holding elements 40, 50 and the dimension of carrier 20 ininsertion direction 65 amounts to approximately two-thirds of thediameter of first storage disc 5, then first storage disc 5 protrudesout of drive 1, i.e., out of insertion opening 25 by approximatelytwo-thirds of its diameter when carrier 20 has been moved by drivemechanism 80 approximately halfway out of drive 1 through insertionopening 25 along guide rails 70, 75. This permits convenient removal offirst storage disc 5 from drive 1 by the user. When drive mechanism 80is positioned in drive 1, as described in conjunction with FIG. 1, itstill engages in carrier 20 in the area of rear edge 110 of carrier 20when carrier 20 is in the eject position described above according toFIG. 3 and thus ensures that carrier 20 will be transported back intodrive 1.

FIG. 4 shows carrier 20 in greater detail, including a recess 125 in thereceptacle area for storage discs 5, 10, 135. When carrier 20 has beenbrought into the playback position, as shown in FIG. 2, a turntable isin the area of recess 125. When carrier 20 is lowered for playback ofstorage disc 5, 10, 135 that has been inserted, inserted storage disc 5,10, 135 is engaged with the turntable (not shown in FIG. 4) and may berotated by it to permit readout by the reading device of drive 1, whichis also not shown in the figures. As an alternative, the turntable mayalso be raised to grip storage disc 5, 10, 135 and cause it to rotate.

As shown in FIG. 4, a recess 60 having an arc-shaped perimeter for firststorage disc 5 may be optionally provided in such a way that it isconcentric with a supporting surface 130, this supporting surface beingdelineated in a defined manner by centering elements 30, 35, holdingelements 40, 45 and optionally arc-shaped borders 50, 55; the diameterof this recess is smaller than the diameter of first storage disc 5 andis used to accommodate a second storage disc 10 having a smallerdiameter than first storage disc 5, as depicted in FIG. 5, where thesame reference numbers denote the same elements as in FIG. 4. In FIG. 4the same reference numbers also denote the same elements as in the otherfigures.

In a state transition diagram according to FIG. 6, the functioning ofdrive 1 according to the example embodiment of the present invention isexplained in greater detail. In a first state 155 of drive 1, carrier 20is in the loading position according to FIG. 1. It is possible to departfrom first state 155, i.e., the loading position of carrier 20, when afirst condition 140 has been met. First condition 140 is met when atleast one of the following cases occurs:

-   -   1. First sensor 85 detects that a storage disc 5, 10, 135 has        been inserted through insertion opening 25 into carrier 20.    -   2. Second sensor 90 detects that a storage disc 5, 10, 135 has        been inserted into carrier 20 through insertion opening 25.    -   3. Loading switch 95 is actuated.

If carrier 20 is in the loading position, storage discs having thediameter of first storage disc 5, i.e., storage discs having atraditional diameter, e.g., traditional compact discs, are usuallyinserted into carrier 20 through insertion opening 25.

If the first condition 140 is met, a check is performed to determinewhether fourth condition 170 is met. Fourth condition 170 is met when astorage disc 5, 10, 135 has been inserted in the loading position ofcarrier 20. Fourth condition 170 is met in the two cases mentioned firstof detection by first sensor 85 or second sensor 90. However, if neitherfirst sensor 85 nor second sensor 90 detects a storage disc in carrier20 on actuation of loading switch 95, then the fourth condition 170 isnot met. If fourth condition 170 is met, there is a state transition toa second state 160 in which carrier 20 is in the playback position. Thisstate transition is characterized in that carrier 20 is transported fromthe loading position into the playback position according to FIG. 2. Iffourth condition 170 is not met, there is a state transition to a thirdstate 165 in which carrier 20 is in the eject position according to FIG.3 so that in this state transition carrier 20 is transported from theloading position into the eject position. In second state 160, insertedstorage disc 5, 10, 135 is played back, i.e., the data stored on it isread out by a reading device of drive 1 and sent for playback. Atransition from second state 160 occurs when second condition 145 ismet. Second condition 145 is met when at least one of the two followingcases occurs:

-   -   4. Loading switch 95 is actuated.    -   5. A readout error in playback of the storage disc is detected        by a logic unit for analysis of the readout data (not shown in        the figures).

If second condition 145 is met, there is a state transition from secondstate 160 to third state 165, i.e., carrier 20 is transported from theplayback position into the eject position according to FIG. 3. Atransition from third state 165, i.e., the eject position of carrier 20,occurs when a third condition 150 is met. Third condition 150 is metwhen at least one of the following four cases occurs:

-   -   6. Loading switch 95 is actuated.    -   7. First sensor 85 detects that a storage disc 5, 10, 135 has        been placed in carrier 20.    -   8. Second sensor 90 detects that a storage disc 5, 10, 135 has        been placed in carrier 20.    -   9. A predetermined time has elapsed after reaching third state        165.

When third condition 150 is met, a check is performed to determinewhether a sixth condition 175 is met. Sixth condition 175 is met when astorage disc 5, 10, 135 has been inserted in third state 165, i.e., forexample when the seventh or eighth case occurs and one of two sensors85, 90 has detected that a storage disc 5, 10, 135 has been inserted. Ifsixth condition 175 is met, a state transition to second state 160occurs and carrier 20 is transported from the eject position into theplayback position for playback of inserted storage disc 5, 10, 135. Ifneither of the two sensors 85, 90 detects a storage disc 5, 10, 135 incarrier 20 in the sixth or ninth case, then sixth condition 175 is notmet and there is a state transition from third state 165 to first state155 in which carrier 20 is transported from the eject position into theloading position.

In third state 165, i.e., when carrier 20 is in the eject position, astorage disc 5, 10, 135 placed in carrier 20 may be removed from carrier20 or a storage disc 5, 10, 135 may be placed in carrier 20. For loadinga traditional storage disc having the diameter of first storage disc 5,first state 155 of drive 1, i.e., the loading position of carrier 20, isprovided according to the present invention, so that loading of such astorage disc in third state 165 is possible but is not necessary. Inother words, for loading first storage disc 5, carrier 20 need not firstbe brought into the eject position. Instead, the eject position ofcarrier 20 is used mainly for convenient removal of first storage disc 5from carrier 20. For second storage disc 10 and shape compact discs,which are labeled with reference number 35 in FIG. 6, however, it isadvisable to provide the eject position of carrier 20, i.e., third state165 for loading such storage discs because otherwise a defined centralinsertion of such a storage disc in the loading position of carrier 20is not ensured. The eject positions of carrier 20 and thus third state165 also have the function of removal of second storage disc 10 and/orshape compact disc 135 from carrier 20.

If in third state 165 the user has removed an inserted storage disc 5,10, 135, this removal is detected by the fact that neither first sensor85 nor second sensor 90 detects an inserted storage disc, i.e., nopressure is exerted on pressure sensor 85 and the light beam of opticalsensor 90 is not interrupted. In this way, sensors 85, 90 detect thatstorage disc 5, 10, 135 has been removed because they no longer detectan inserted storage disc. As described above, this results in thetransition to first state 155. If at least one of the two sensors 85, 90detects an inserted memory 5, 10, 135 due to exertion of pressure ondrive mechanism 80 and thus on pressure sensor 85 and/or due tointerruption of the beam of light of optical sensor 90 on actuation ofloading switch 95 or when a predetermined period of time has elapsedaccording to the sixth or ninth case in third state 165, then there is atransition of state from third state 165 to second state 160, asdescribed above. However, if an inserted storage disc 5, 10, 135 is notdetected by either of the two sensors 85, 90 when the sixth or ninthcase occurs, then there is a transition of state from third state 165 tofirst state 155 as described above. Thus, on insertion of a storage disc5, 10, 135 in third state 165, carrier 20 is brought into the playbackposition immediately after detection of inserted storage disc 5, 10, 135by at least one of two sensors 85, 90, or, at the latest, on actuationof loading switch 95 or after the predetermined period of time haselapsed, if an inserted storage disc 5, 10, 135 is then detected by atleast one of the two sensors.

Optical sensor 90 is advantageously situated in drive 1, namely in thearea of front edge 105 of drive 1. This ensures detection of storagediscs 5, 10, 135 inserted into carrier 20 in both the loading positionand in the eject position and, as can be seen in FIG. 2, also in theplayback position of carrier 20. To be able to detect the insertion ofstorage discs having a smaller diameter such as second storage disc 10or shape compact discs or shape storage discs 135 in general in both theloading position and in the eject position of carrier 20, it isadvantageous for optical sensor 90 to also be situated at approximatelythe same distance from each of the two centering elements 30, 35.

For implementation of the state transitions according to FIG. 6 and forcalling up the conditions of the state transition diagram shown there,drive 1 includes a control unit (not shown in the figures) to whichsensors 85, 90, drive mechanism 80, and loading switch 95 are connected.

According to the example embodiment of the present invention, it ispossible for carrier 20 to protrude out of drive 1 only in the ejectposition.

1-19. (cancelled).
 20. A drive for a storage disc, comprising: a loadingdevice configured to transport a storage disc into the drive, theloading device including a carrier which is configured to accommodatethe storage disc, wherein the carrier remains completely in the drivewhen in a loading position, and the carrier protrudes out of the drivewhen in an eject position.
 21. The drive as recited in claim 20, whereinthe carrier forms a first opening for insertion of the storage disc in adirection of an insertion opening of the drive.
 22. The drive as recitedin claim 21, wherein the carrier includes two elastically mountedcentering elements in an area of the first opening, a distance betweenthe centering element being less than a diameter of a first storagedisc, insertion of the storage disc through the insertion opening andthe first opening onto the carrier forcing the centering elements apart,and wherein the carrier includes at least one holding element on a sidefacing away from the first opening for blocking an inserted storagedisc.
 23. The drive as recited in claim 22, wherein a distance betweenthe centering elements and the at least one holding element is such thatwhen the first storage disc strikes against at least one of the holdingelements, the centering elements return to their starting positions. 24.The drive as recited in claim 22, wherein the carrier has an edge whichforms an arc-shaped border between each of the two centering elementsand the at least one holding element.
 25. The drive as recited in claim22, wherein the carrier includes a recess which forms a receptacle fordepositing a second storage disc having a smaller diameter than thefirst storage disc.
 26. The drive as recited in claim 20, wherein anextension of the carrier, in a direction of insertion, is approximatelytwo-thirds of the diameter of the first storage disc.
 27. The drive asrecited in claim 20, wherein the loading device includes a linear guidein which the carrier is mounted.
 28. The drive as recited in claim 22,wherein the loading device includes a linear drive mechanism fortransport of the carrier.
 29. The drive as recited in claim 28, whereinthe drive mechanism is situated at a distance of approximately half ofan extension of the carrier, in an insertion direction, based on aloading position of the carrier, from the insertion opening and engageswith the carrier.
 30. The drive as recited in claim 20, wherein theloading device includes at least one sensor which detects a storage discplaced on the carrier.
 31. The drive as recited in claim 28, wherein theloading device includes a linear drive mechanism for transport of thecarrier, and at least one sensor which detects a storage disc placed inthe carrier, and wherein a first one of the sensors is a pressuresensor, is connected to the drive mechanism and detects when a force isexerted on the carrier and thus on the drive mechanism in an insertiondirection.
 32. The drive as recited in claim 31, wherein a second one ofthe sensors is an optical sensor.
 33. The drive as recited in claim 30,wherein the loading device is configured to bring the carrier into aplayback position when the at least one sensor detects a storage discplaced on the carrier.
 34. The drive as recited in claim 21, wherein theloading device includes a loading switch, the loading device configuredto bring the carrier from the loading position into the eject positionin which the carrier protrudes out of the insertion opening afteractuation of the loading switch.
 35. The drive as recited in claim 21,wherein the carrier protrudes approximately halfway out of the insertionopening in the eject position.
 36. The drive as recited in claim 21,wherein the loading device is configured to bring the carrier from theeject position into a loading position when removal of a storage discpreviously placed on the carrier is detected.
 37. The drive as recitedin claim 21, wherein the loading device is configured to bring thecarrier from the eject position into a playback position after apredetermined period of time has elapsed.
 38. The drive as recited inclaim 34, wherein on actuation of the loading switch, the loading deviceis configured to bring carrier from the eject position into a playbackposition.